"When past debts are paid, new alliances rise."
Veer and Kartik strode down the narrow street toward BSS School, the morning sun slanting through the trees in golden streaks. They walked side by side—two unlikely allies who'd come a long way since their first ugly confrontation in the alley. Today, they talked as though they'd known each other for years.
Kartik adjusted his backpack straps. "Man… last night's dinner with Pihu was something else."
Veer nodded, picking at a loose thread on his shoe. "Yeah. She's intense. I still can't believe how she just snapped and took down Kartik's toughest goons as if they were cactus plants she was pruning."
Kartik chuckled nervously. "Hey! Those guys were bigger than me, and they all had bats and brass knuckles. She—" He broke off, shuddering. "Let's just say I'm inspired to never, ever cross her again."
Veer grinned. "Well, it's better to be friends with her than on her bad side." He tossed his hair back. "I still can't get over how she taught me to block and counter—like ninja-level stuff."
Kartik waved a hand. "Yeah, but it was brutal. She told me point-blank, 'If I hear one more time you called me "aunty," I'll break your nose.'" He mimicked Pihu's glare. "And I almost got that nose broken."
Veer laughed. "I'd pay to see that. Still… you handled it pretty well."
Kartik rolled his eyes. "Spare me. I spent half the night ice-packing my shin. At least she's going back to America soon for her 'business,' whatever that means." He nudged Veer.
Veer's expression turned solemn.. We owe her big time."
...
Kartik gave a mock salute. "Agreed. Now let's get to school before we become the headlines."
Approaching the Gates
As they neared the school gates, chatter swelled among gathering students. Some clustered in small groups, craning their necks to watch Veer and Kartik walk together.
A girl in a pastel salwar whispered to her friend, "Is that Veer? He's never walked into school with Kartik before."
The friend shrugged. "Maybe he joined Kartik's crew? Heard Kartik bossed half the seniors around last year."
Veer shot Kartik a sidelong glance. "They're talking like I joined some gang."
Kartik swallowed. "Well… you are sort of in a gang now. But, like, a good gang?" He trailed off, noticing Rohan and his followers leaning against the wall near the gate.
Rohan's coercive smile dissolved when his eyes landed on Veer. His chief goon, Sameer, gave Kartik a disdainful nod. "Look who's here—Veer, the 'Fat Fighter' reincarnated, strolling in with Kartik."
Rohan frowned. "What's this alliance? You two together? Either he's running a con… or you're dead, Kartik."
Veer squared his shoulders. "We walk together because I said so." His tone was quiet, but the strength behind it sent a ripple through Rohan's circle.
Kartik visibly gulped but tried to play it cool. "Yeah, bro. We're… trading life lessons."
Sameer snorted. "Walking into the lion's den, nice move, Kartik."
Veer ignored the mockery and stepped forward. "Let's go before we miss the first class."
The duo passed through the blue gates, heads high. Some students stared; others gossiped. But nothing could rattle Veer's new calm—a quiet self-assurance born of months of training.
Morning Class and the Plan
In the first period, they sat in the back row of classroom 110. Kartik eyed the door nervously;
At the break between classes, Veer whispered, "Time to do what we came to do. You ready?"
Kartik swallowed audibly. "Ready as I'll ever be."
They slipped out of class and headed to a quieter hallway, past classrooms humming with chatter and teachers calling attendance.
"They're right on schedule," Veer murmured. "Most of the kids you bullied haven't forgotten. But showing your face and apologising will—" he paused, frowning, "—might take a while to sink in."
Kartik squared his shoulders. "Then let's sink it." He walked over to a corner near the lockers where Ramesh and two other boys were chatting
First Apology
Ramesh glanced up from his tattered notebook as footsteps echoed down the corridor. He stiffened when he saw who it was. Kartik Sharma, the same guy who used to corner him by the canteen and take his pocket money without so much as a word of explanation. He gripped his pen tightly, the knuckles on his thin fingers turning white.
Kartik slowed down, his usual swagger replaced with hesitance. Veer followed silently, giving Kartik a nod from behind.
Kartik stopped two feet away and took a shaky breath. "Ramesh… hey."
Ramesh didn't respond. His eyes darted toward Veer, then back at Kartik. "What do you want?" he asked warily.
Kartik reached into his pocket and pulled out a few folded notes. "I—I came to give this back. The money I took from you last year. Protection fee… that was a lie. I had no right."
He held it out with trembling hands. "And I wanted to say… I'm sorry."
Ramesh blinked, confused. He looked at the money, then at Kartik's lowered eyes. "Is this some kind of joke?"
Kartik's voice cracked. "No. I'm not that guy anymore."
There was a long pause. The hallway suddenly felt heavy.
Ramesh looked at the money, then softly asked, "Will I not be bullied anymore?"
The words struck Kartik like a punch in the gut. He lowered his hand, eyes stinging.
"I… I didn't realise I left that kind of fear in you," he said, voice shaking. "I thought I was just tough. I thought I was in control. But I was just… scared myself. Angry. Lost."
Ramesh's shoulders relaxed slightly, but his voice remained cautious. "You made me scared to come to school, Kartik. I used to take longer routes. I skipped lunch some days just so I wouldn't have to see you. I thought maybe someday you'd beat me up worse than just taking money."
Kartik's head drooped. "I can't erase that. But I'll spend every day from now making sure no one feels that way around me again."
He slowly held out the money again. "I don't want this to fix it. I just want it to be a start."
Ramesh hesitated, then reached forward and took the notes with shaking fingers.
"You're not the same guy anymore, are you?" he said.
Kartik forced a small smile through the lump in his throat. "Trying not to be."
Ramesh gave him a slow nod. "Okay then."
As they turned to leave, Veer placed a hand on Kartik's shoulder. The hallway was quiet again, but something had shifted.
Ramesh shrugged. "Glad you're not the same guy anymore."
Kartik exhaled in relief. "Thanks, man." He turned away quickly, exhaling.
Veer joined him. "Good start."
Kartik shook his head.
Veer said quietly, "One down, twenty to go."
THEY BOTH SEE EACH OTHER
KARTIK ...
VEER ...
...
Lunchtime: More Amends
Canteen time.
The aroma of samosas and spicy Maggi filled the air. Tables were packed, students yelling across benches, and food fights already underway in the corner where no teachers dared venture.
Veer and Kartik walked in, causing heads to swivel.
"Is that… Kartik?"
"With Veer?!"
"Are they doing some gang recruitment drive or what?"
Kartik tried to walk casually, but his feet were visibly hesitant. Veer nudged him. "You said you'd talk to everyone, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kartik mumbled. "But why does everyone I bullied have such sharp elbows and long memories?"
Veer chuckled. "You want me to go with you?"
"No, no! I got this. I'm a changed man. New leaf. Gandhi with abs."
Kartik scanned the tables and spotted his first victim—er, target—er, former lunch-money donor.
It was Aditya, a lanky kid with glasses thicker than a biology textbook.
Kartik approached, cleared his throat, and slammed a chocolate bar on Aditya's tray.
Aditya jumped. "What the—?!"
"For your trauma," Kartik said dramatically. "I robbed you of four Dairy Milk bars last semester. Here's one back. With interest."
Aditya blinked. "What interest?"
Kartik reached into his bag and placed a pack of Hide & Seek biscuits next to the chocolate. "Emotional compensation."
"Are you sick?" Aditya asked, poking the chocolate bar.
"No," Kartik said, holding his chest like a martyr. "Just… guilty. A guilty, generous man."
Aditya laughed. "If this is how you repay bullying, please bully me again. I want Lays next time."
Kartik groaned and shuffled to the next student—Harsh, the one he once made cry during a football match by calling him a potato.
"Hey…" Kartik started.
Harsh stood up. "You again?!"
"I just wanted to say… you're not a potato. You're… uh… a strong, well-rounded carb."
Veer, standing nearby, burst into laughter.
Harsh stared, confused. "Did you just call me a strong potato?"
"Like… the kind they make into French fries! Everyone loves fries!"
"Thanks, I guess?"
Kartik handed him a mini juice box. "Peace offering?"
Harsh blinked, took it, and sat back down. "You're weird now."
"Better than terrifying, right?"
By now, a small crowd had formed, watching Kartik go from table to table, giving out snacks, saying awkward things like:
"Here's your refund for emotional damage: one paneer roll."
"Sorry for calling you a nerd. You're a... scholar with style."
"I don't remember why I kicked your lunch that day, but here's a samosa to make up for it."
Veer followed, laughing the entire time. "You're seriously building your karma points with snacks?"
The canteen was now watching Kartik like a live reality show. People laughed, pointed, and whispered.
And then, Kartik stopped.
At the back of the canteen sat Neha—a quiet girl, once always alone, always anxious.
He remembered how he once pushed her books off the table because she didn't give him her sandwich. She had cried in front of the whole class. Kartik had laughed. That memory now punched him in the chest.
He walked over slowly. Veer paused a few feet behind, watching.
"Hey, Neha."
She looked up. Her face froze the moment she saw him.
He gently placed a Dairy Milk in front of her.
She stared at it. "What is this?"
"I… I wanted to say sorry."
"For what?"
"For everything."
Her eyes welled up. "You made me cry for weeks. You made me hate coming to school. And now… a chocolate fixes it?"
Kartik took a deep breath. "No. It doesn't fix it. But… It's a start."
Neha stayed quiet.
"I was stupid. I thought bullying made me strong. It didn't. It just made me empty."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Neha," he continued softly, "I swear—no more bullying. Not you. Not anyone. And if someone ever tries to hurt you again…"
He paused, looked straight into her eyes.
"I'll protect you. I promise."
Neha blinked rapidly. Her lips trembled. She picked up the Dairy Milk with both hands, holding it like it was something sacred.
A small, warm smile spread across her face. "Thanks, Kartik."
He gave a half-grin. "You're welcome."
Veer, watching nearby, smirked. "Someone's finally learning the art of being human."
But Neha… she didn't stop looking at Kartik.
Her heart thudded strangely. There was something different about him now—not just the apology, but the way he looked her in the eye. Like he meant it.
She turned away slightly, hiding her smile.
And just like that… a new chapter began.
The beginning of Kartik's redemption... and maybe, just maybe, the first spark of his first love.
Chapter end [12]
📣 AUTHOR'S DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT 📣
"WAIT. HOLD ON. I SIGNED UP FOR A DARK ACTION REVENGE SAGA… WHY AM I GETTING BUTTERFLIES?!"
Yes, yes, dear reader. I know what you're thinking.
You came for rage, revenge, and broken jaws,But suddenly… there's Dairy Milk, emotional damage, and… fluttering hearts?!
"One moment we're breaking bones, the next we're breaking hearts—what is happening here?!"
One second you're punching bullies, the next you're handing out Dairy Milk and falling in love.
Well… welcome to life.
What can I say?Even warriors need romance.Even revenge stories need a little pyaar-vyaar. 💘
Fate throws punches.Cupid throws plot twists.
Even in a gym full of sweat, blood, and vengeance… romance finds a way. 💘
Because let's be real—Action ho ya dosti, thoda pyaar to banta hai boss! 😎
So hang tight.Love is just another fight......but with fewer bruises and more butterflies.
💔 "Is this… a love story now?"💀 "Wasn't someone crying in a gym like 3 chapters ago?!"👀 "WHY is my heart melting while they talk about trauma?"
Because my lovely warriors of fiction...
"Even in the battlegrounds of pain, love sneaks in wearing combat boots."
💣💘 IS THIS A LOVE TRIANGLE?!
AUTHOR:YES. YES, IT MIGHT BE.One girl and two boys, or the other way around. One punch and one heartbeat.Let the chaos begin.
"Yaha par har character ki ek love story hogi, warna jealousy kaise aayegi?"
Just saying…Keep your ships ready. Some are about to sail. Some may sink.But don't worry—punches will still land, secrets will still explode, and someone's heart (or nose) will always be at risk. 🥊❤️
Carry on. The punches will resume shortly. 😎🥊❤️
Tears, trauma, training, and tiny love glances... ALL INCLUDED.And no, this isn't a bug—it's a feature.
The Author Who Said 'Revenge' But Meant 'Revenge & Romance'
— Your Plot-Twisting Author
vaqzy